15 Essential Items Every Couple Should Register For

We've already covered why wedding registries are a necessary evil. (For those who missed it, the abridged version goes something like this: Everyone is going to ask where you're registered, people are going to buy you stuff no matter what, you might love being able to pull out a platter that your grandmother gave you long after she's gone, etc.).

Convinced? Yay! Staring at a blank computer screen wondering where to start? Boo!

Don't worry — we've complied a list of the 15 essential kitchen items you should register for, and we've gone as far as to list the exact product you should ask for, sometimes even with options based on your tastes. Consider it our wedding present to you. We'll just assume our invitation must have gotten lost in the mail?

Steal Some Recipes

3. Serving Utensils

Married You might have more dinner parties than you ever imagined as Single You. And a key element of those dinner parties is serving utensils. You're going to be making all sorts of sides and salads, and people will need a way to get that food onto their plates. You can't go wrong with either of these.

4. Wine Glasses

People are going to be stopping by a lot to cheers to you guys during your first year as a married couple, so you're going to need a matching set of wine glasses. The magic number here is at least eight for each set — although it's never a bad idea to have more. Note: You might not care about drinking red wine out of a glass designed for white wine, but you might have a preference for a stemmed glass versus a stemless one.

5. Glasses

You can't drink wine all of the time! Having a full set of matching glassware means that you'll be ready for thirsty visitors — and that you and your betrothed will have water glasses to use throughout the day. You're going to want at least 12 glasses to make sure you're not constantly having to do the dishes. Go for glasses with clean, simple lines or something slightly retro that's come back around again.

6. Flatware

Of all the things on this list, flatware could very well be the one thing that you'd be most likely to overlook. Chances are, you already have a set you use to shovel yogurt into your mouth in the mornings, right? But how old is it? Do you love it? Does it match your dinnerware? Now that you're thinking about it, you might want to register for some new stuff.

7. Dinnerware

Before you decide whether or not you want to want to register for fine china, read this post. Sure, maybe you won't feel the same way (only 26 percent of today's couples register for formal dinnerware), but even if you don't want bone china, you can still register for some nice (read: matching) dinnerware.

8. Napkins

There are a lot of reasons you need cloth napkins. Mostly because they're less wasteful and a lot nicer when you're trying to fancy up the table for your in-laws. The classic route would be to go with anything that can be monogrammed. We also love these softer chambray napkins, which can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.

9. Two Skillets

Every kitchen needs at least two skillets: one stainless steel and one nonstick. Why? The nonstick skillet is for eggs, and the stainless steel is for everything else. If you're only going to have one stainless steel skillet, the 14-inch is the very best size to get. It's the skillet we turn to again and again and it always gives us enough room to cook without crowding the pan.

The 2 to Register for

10. A Dutch Oven

We have very strong feelings about the ideal size and shape of a Dutch oven. You need one that's at least 5.5 quarts so that you can make all the amazing stews, soups, and no-knead breads that you come across online. (Anything smaller tends to be too small for most of the recipes out there.) And we prefer round Dutch ovens because they're easier to stir and use on the stovetop. If you're a couple with classic tastes, you can't go wrong with white. If you prefer something a little trendier, we think the Hibiscus Pink looks a lot like Millennial Pink.

11. A Sauce Pan

The saucepan is your kitchen's workhouse. You'll use it for boiling or steaming vegetables, making sauces, or cooking grains and pasta. Get a big one (three quarts should do the trick) and one of quality so that it can take the heat over time.

12. Knives

Our parents never would have registered for knives; there's an old superstition that they're bad luck and will cut ties, but that's just silly! And you need knives — just not a set (we think they're too expensive and full of stuff you don't actually need). All you actually need? A chef's knife that's at least eight inches, a bread knife, and a paring knife. What brand to get? Wüsthof is one of the best names in the biz because the German brand makes balanced knives with sharp, durable blades and comfortable, sturdy handles.

14. A Stand Mixer

For many of us, getting a stand mixer at the pre-wedding shower is a rite of passage. And while there are several versions of stand mixers on the market (even the iconic brand KitchenAid makes a few different models), the Artisan Series gets our vote because of performance, ease of use, price, and all the fun colors it comes in! Think: Almond Cream for classic couples and Pistachio for more adventurous ones.

15. A Blender

The other pricey appliance that couples traditionally ask for (and hopefully get!) is a Vitamix blender. The Ascent, a relatively new series model, can automatically read what's in the container and adjust blending times. But it's not the only big player in the blending game — there's also Blendtec, which is great for the couple who loves (like, really loves) smoothies.